Finding Delshad

Further Info

This story was made at a workshop for students studying English as a Foreign Language at City of Bristol College. It was led by Harriet Brennan, Aikaterini Gegisian and Paddy Uglow and was supported by Bristol’s Museums, Galleries & Archives.

Transcript

My name is Delshad Mageed. I’m from Kurdistan north of Iraq

I came to the UK 26th of October 2002 I first arrived in Coventry, near to Birmingham, then I moved to Bristol in January. I was unemployed, also without English language at all. I felt like an alien person as you can see in my photo.

I started to study and work. I found a job in Whiteladiesin Clifton in April in a restaurant. I earned £4.50 per hour. I worked in the kitchen. I worked there six nights a week for about 18 months. I worked with other Kurdish people because my English was bad. But the same week I started at the restaurant, I also started English classes in the morning at the City of Bristol College. I was very tired! But I made many friends from different countries.

When my English got better and better I changed my job and I worked for ASDA about 18 months as well. I used to study hard to improve my English and I changed my job again. Now I am working for Excel Management Services and I study as well at a high level at City of Bristol College.

When I look back on the day I arrived in the U.K. I realize how far I’ve travelled. Now I no longer feel like an alien. Now I feel comfortable and I feel like a normal person. I feel part of Bristol.

Credits

All media created by the story author, or permission obtained, used under copyright licence.